Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi AD, AYDIN

Aim: In this retrospective study we aimed to investigate the outcomes of continuous unfractioned (standart) heparin treatment for deep vein thrombosis. Methods: 44 patients who were hospitalized between January 2002 and April 2005 with the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis are included in this study. Strict bed rest was applied in treatment protocol to all cases. Continious intravenous heparin infusion was started and the dosage was titrated regarding a PTT values. Patients were put on oral anticoagulant therapy and intravenous heparin was continued until the INR value is greater than 2. Besides clinical findings colour Doppler USG was used diagnostically. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.2 and 27 were male (% 61.3) and 17 were female (%38.7). Pulmonary embolism was detected in 4.5 % of cases. There was no mortality in patients who had pulmonary embolism. Heparin treatment was continued for 5-6 days in 45% of cases and for 7-10 days in 36% of cases. In 24 of cases oral anticoagulant therapy was started on 0-3rd day of hospitalization while in 20 of them therapy was started on 4-7th day of hospitalization. No mortality or major bleeding complication occurred during the course of therapy. Neither of the cases faced reccurent thromboembolismin 3 months follow up. Conclusion: Unfractioned heparin treatment can be suggested as a reliable method for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.